John David Cleveland

John David Cleveland, MD is an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. He received his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed his residency in Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Southern California followed by a fellowship in Congenital Cardiac Surgery at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles under the mentorship of Dr. Vaughn A. Starnes.

Dr. Cleveland's primary research interests focus on the long-term care of children with congenital heart disease as they progress into adulthood. His work spans several key areas:

• Cardiac surgery for congenital heart defects
• Xenotransplantation for pediatric heart disease
• Surgical outcomes and innovations in pediatric cardiac procedures
• Long-term management of congenital heart disease into adulthood

His extensive publication record demonstrates a strong focus on xenotransplantation research, particularly in developing cardiac xenotransplantation as a potential solution for infants with complex congenital heart disease. His work examines surgical techniques, outcomes of various procedures like the Ross procedure, and ethical considerations in expanded access programs for experimental treatments. His research combines clinical practice with innovative approaches to address critical challenges in pediatric cardiac care.

Dr. Cleveland has published extensively in high-impact journals including the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Xenotransplantation, and the World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, with numerous publications dating through 2025.

As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Cleveland bridges the gap between surgical innovation and patient care, focusing on improving outcomes for children with complex cardiac conditions. His work on cardiac xenotransplantation represents a cutting-edge approach to addressing the organ shortage crisis in pediatric heart transplantation, potentially offering new hope for infants with complex congenital heart disease who would otherwise have limited treatment options.